September

What an exciting month! Lisa started preschool, had a birthday and welcomed her new sister into the family. Also, on Sunday I celebrated my 28th birthday. Ryan's family is here this week and we've enjoyed visiting and especially appreciated the extra help. Gramommy has a magic touch. She makes all little kids happy. And big kids too! :)Last week Katie and Dad came for a surprise visit on the weekend and it was so good to see them too. Dad and Ryan got to sneak in a fishing trip to Warm River and I had so much fun watching Katie with the girls (I love saying that...the girls!)She is such a good Aunt. She has a special way with her nieces. She has nicknamed Lyra "peanut". Lisa has always been her "girlfriend". I missed mom A LOT, but hopefully we will get to see her at the end of October if we make a trip to Ca.
Lisa and I unfortunately picked up some germs this week--she's got strep and is battling a fierce fever and my throat has been feeling sore. I'm really hoping Lyra doesn't get sick from us. It has been a learning experience adjusting to having two kids, but I've had a lot of help and Ryan and I are both loving our little girls.

Lyra Cherie Terry was born 6 lbs. 7 oz, 19in. long with a head full of dark hair just like me and Lisa. She actually arrived 1 week early, but was still a couple of ounces smaller than Lisa. I went into labor around 3am, checked into the hospital (which I kept accidentally calling the hotel) around 11am (after making a trip to Wal Mart and walking around Smith Park several times) and delivered Lyra at about 3pm. My water had not broken yet that morning so I went to the doctor just to be sure I was in labor and I was dilated 4 cm. They said I could walk for awhile until I wanted to check into the hospital so I painfully did, hoping it would move the labor along. It did help a little. Once I checked in, I walked some more and was going to get in the jacuzzi tub, but then Dr. Meredith said he would just come break my water and it went pretty fast after that. When I was dilated about 9cm, I was starting to feel weak, but then before I knew it they were saying I could push any time so that gave me more energy to make it all the way through. I pushed about 4 times which took maybe 15 min., compared to Lisa and pushing for almost 2 hours. But I will say that for some reason I was WAY more aware of the pain this time! It really REALLY hurt! Last time it just felt like crazy intense pressure, but this time...wow. I chose with both girls to not have an epidural unless I really needed it, and both times were amazing experiences. To be there completely experiencing the moment felt so exhilarating. I loved how when they set Lyra on my chest she lifted her head up as if she was already reaching to nurse. They were a little concerned about her breathing at first and I was nervous they were going to take her to the special care nursery like with Lisa, but then they decided she was ok. It was special to be able to hold her right away for a long time. I am recovering well so far, taking advantage this time of the prescription pain meds. With Lisa I took nothing. Why I felt the need to just deal with the after pains the first time I cannot say, but I'm really appreciating the Tylenol with Codeine this time. I do feel like I am re-learning a lot of things since it has been four years and I've forgotten a lot about having a newborn. But I've had a lot of help and it is going pretty well. Cortney kept Lisa for the day while I was in the hospital and then brought her to see us. It was so comforting to know that Lisa was with someone she liked and I didn't have to worry about her cause I knew she was having fun. Aunt Aimee was a HUGE help with Lisa, taking care of her pretty much all day for the next couple days while I was in the hospital. I love seeing Aimee with Lyra...she says she could just hold her ALL day. Lisa has been such a sweet older sister. She didn't understand the first night why mommy and Lyra weren't coming home from the hospital and I felt bad, but I knew I needed the rest and so I just tried to explain that to her. Ryan and Aimee both made sure to do lots of fun things with her.